- Details
- Written by Paul van Velthooven
‘The heart of NZ cycling’
As Chairman of Bike Manawatu I can scarcely believe that this is only the second report presented to our Club AGM. So much has happened in our brief history and so much has been achieved.
Last year, soon after the AGM, the new Board met at a special strategy meeting where we agreed and moved that the new vision for the Club is “to be the heart of cycling in New Zealand”. You may or may not have noticed that since then both Destination Manawatu and Vision Manawatu, along with the City Council and Manawatu District, have adopted a regional strategy which states their vision as being “to be the best place in New Zealand to ride a bike”.
- Details
- Written by Paul van Velthooven
What a fantastic week that was for our young Bike Manawatu cyclists in Invercargill at the age group nationals representing West Coast North Island. By all accounts, the whole team performed remarkably on and off the track and came home with a host of medals. The WCNI team ended up 4th on the ladder behind the big centres of Southland , Auckland and Canterbury. Those Centres were heavily represented in the Masters categories….WCNI had only one rider in that group!!!!
Special mention should be made of Michaela Drummond with 4 gold medals in the U15 Girls. They could not touch Michaela for speed. We see evidence of her speed at Johnston park every Tuesday night over summer. Campbell Stewart won 3 gold medals and one silver…the Southland boys tried everything to block Campbell but he has too much racing nous and of course he has the gas. And of course big sister Kate ….despite a huge workload where she entered virtually every available U17 girls event from sprint to points to scratch plus teams events , Kate came home with 2 gold medals, 2 silver and a bronze.Incredible…she will be sleeping well this week!
- Details
- Written by Paul van Velthooven
2011 is rapidly drawing to a close.
It is hard to believe that it was only just over 12 months ago that the club was formally established at our inaugural meeting at Wharerata, Massey. A lot has been achieved….too much to mention, but one thing is certain…Bike Manawatu is here to stay and our ambition to be the ‘heart of NZ cycling “ is very well advanced.
Whilst not winning the National Cycling Centre of Excellence velodrome bid was a major disappointment for the club and this community, and we all know the process was clearly flawed, the positives through the wide media exposure has seen many spinoffs for cycling in this region.
- Details
- Written by Paul van Velthooven
I often think of why I and others get involved in the administration of a club like Bike Manawatu.
What motivates us? Is it a sense of duty, is it a passion, is it our past-time or is it power……no, no, no, not power!
I would like to think that for Bike Manawatu, we as a Board are motivated and get involved because of a passion for the sport and a desire to see our sport continuing to grow so that we truly are “ the heart of cycling in NZ’. There is also a bit of “ giving something back”.
But I am sure that it is the many little success stories and small victories that are regularly displayed by our members that keep the Board, Glenys our Secretary and our team of volunteers keen, enthusiastic and working towards the common goal.
Stories of a personal best on time trial night, a new record on the track, a medal at West Coast Champs, a new recreational rider getting up Valley Road the first time, organising the inaugural La Femme Tour, or one of our schools entering a team in the NZ Champs for the first time….or just new faces trying the sport…..that’s what keeps us all passionate and focussed.
You will also see it regularly…the Effort, Enthusiasm, Energy , Excellence , Enjoyment , and Events that cycling on our region brings ……these are the key words that keep the club going….and going …and growing!
- Details
- Written by Paul van Velthooven
Isn’t it great to be back climbing into the kilometres for the summer season of cycling.
So many events to choose from up and down the country and of course Taupo is looming large at the end of the month. Good luck for all our club members and potential club members as they prepare for what will be for many the biggest ride of the year….and a little luck is worth a tonne of hard work….but you still need to do the hard work!